The Maryland Fishing Challenge continues through this month and until September 1st. Fishermen are encouraged to register any fish they catch that meets the minimum size criteria at a Citation Center to be in the drawing for a number of prizes which include a new 4x4 Tundra pickup truck, a boat, motor and trailer outfit and thousands of dollars in prizes. On Monday, June 2, Maryland’s most desired rockfish was released into the Chesapeake Bay as part of the 2008 Maryland Fishing Challenge. A $10,000 reward and a $5,000 diamond are being offered for his capture. Anglers can read more about the kick-off event here. Fifteen children will be randomly chosen from fishing rodeos across the state in the coming months and will be entered to win quality fishing trips with a mentor at the 2008 Maryland Fishing Challenge grand finale in September. This weekend, another four young anglers were entered into the unique youth component of the 2008 Maryland Fishing Challenge. DNR staff took part in the Hillcrest Youth Fishing Rodeo in Lansdowne, Maryland and a great time was had by all.

Participation in all aspects of the Fishing Challenge continues to grow; although Diamond Jim has yet to be found. Keep an eye out for chartreuse-tagged rockfish in the Bay and its tributaries! Congrats to Kelly Zettlemeyer of Grantville, PA for catching a 24” flounder at Ocean City and to Josh Wilson of Frostburg for his 22” largemouth bass. Both are now entered to win big prizes from Central Atlantic Toyota, Bill’s Outdoor Center and Bass Pro Shops at the finale in September. More information can be found at www.dnr.maryland.gov/fishingchallenge/.

Diamond Jim is online! Add him as a friend on www.myspace.com/fishingchallenge or search in the Baltimore, MD network of facebook.com for Diamond Jim.

Overview

Fishermen can click another month off the calendar and here we are facing the 4th of July weekend. One would suspect a number of boats that have been sitting at the dock recently will get out on the water this weekend as Marylander’s do their best to celebrate America’s independence and freedom. What better way to celebrate freedom than to enjoy family and friends doing whatever you wish this coming weekend. Fishing and related outdoor activities abound throughout Maryland and many are now taking the time out of necessity to enjoy what is so close to ones doorstep.

Dennis Stolte took the time to send us this short report on a recent croaker fishing trip in the lower Choptank River but to also open our eyes to something that is dear to many of us and that is extending oneself to those that don’t have the opportunity to always enjoy the fishing that many of us take for granted. "Teach a kid to fish, make a friend for life." That's what Captain Norm Haddaway did today for six kids in a fishing trip he generously donated to Talbot Mentors., "We caught lots of fish-- some of the biggest croakers ( over 3 lbs.) that I've seen this year and several nice rockfish ," said Capt. Haddaway. “We caught them steadily for more than three hours, and still had to pry their hands off the rods when it was time to go home! We had a great time! I probably enjoyed it more than the kids!"

Haddaway donated the entire trip- boat, fuel, tackle bait and fish-cleaning. Everyone went home with a big bag of fillets. “I’ve had a wonderful life hunting and fishing in and around the Chesapeake Bay and this is my chance to share the privilege with the next generation,” said Haddaway. "I also like what Talbot Mentors do and I support their cause."

Most every county and city has a mentoring group that has a similar program and adult mentors will tell you that they receive much more than they give when involved in these programs; pictured in the group photo from left to right: Tyrell Jackson, Capt. Norm Haddaway, Paul Baynard, Robbie Greenwood, Brandon Larrimore, Devon Greene, and Dontrell Murray.

Fishermen in the upper bay region have been centering their striped bass fishing endeavors on chumming in the Love Point and Podickory Point areas, as well as live lining spot and light tackle jigging in the evening hours. Fishermen in the middle bay region are mostly live lining spot for their striped bass or trolling. Lower bay region fishermen are also live lining spot and trolling; successful chumming has dropped off since Friday.

Bottom fishing for croakers is about as good as it can be in the middle and lower bay regions; fishermen are also catching a mix of spot, small bluefish and flounder in those regions. Recreational crabbers reported the first decent crabbing in the upper bay as far north as the Patapsco and middle bay and lower bay crabbers continue to enjoy rather good crabbing opportunities in most tidal rivers and creeks.

Freshwater anglers in the western region are enjoying good fishing for smallmouth bass in Deep Creek Lake and the upper Potomac River. Largemouth bass fishing is improving in a number of lakes as water temperatures warm. Trout fishing remains good in most western region streams and rivers. Susie Cosden gets some assistance from Ken Pavol with this nice rainbow trout she caught and released while floating on the North Branch of the Potomac recently.

Fishermen throughout Maryland are finding good largemouth bass fishing in the early morning and evening hours at a multitude of small lakes, ponds, tidal rivers and reservoirs on topwater lures and deeper presentations during brighter daylight hours.

Flounder fishing continues to be good in the Ocean City area with a number of large ones now being caught by fishermen live lining spot. Surf fishermen are catching a mix of small summer species and a number of sharks and sting rays. Beyond the beaches the offshore contingent is catching a mix of bluefin and yellowfin tuna, the wreck fishing fleet are finding sea bass and a mix of tautog and flounder. Bluefish are being caught and fishermen are finding a variety of summer migrants moving into Maryland waters such as this spadefish caught and released by 12-year old Will Waibel from Bel Air while fishing with his dad.

Quote of the Week:

"The music of angling is more compelling to me than anything contrived in the greatest symphony hall. What could be more thrilling than the ghostly basso note of a channel buoy over grumbling surf as herring gulls screech at a school of stripers on a foggy summer morning? "

A Couple of Closing Notes...

Don't hesitate to e-mail your recent
fishing/crabbing photos and trip information. Send your photos via E-mail by the
following Monday in order to be included in the next update. The file should be
in .jpg format with the longest side sized at 600 pixels. Please try to keep the file
size small, under one megabyte. The photo should clearly depict the angler(s), fish, and ethical
handling practices. For information on ethical angling practices please
reference the Catch and Release information located at URL:
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/articles/catch_release.html
Include the following information:

Date

Angler(s)

Hometown(s)

Photo credit

Location

Weight/length of catch

Bait/lure

Important Note:If anyone in your picture is under 18
years of age, we must have a
photo release
signed by that person and a parent/guardian before we can post your picture. By sending any photos or art to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources you are giving DNR permission to use the image(s) online and in print. You are also giving DNR permission to distribute the photo for non-commercial purposes to other media, print, digital and television for their use. You are not giving up your copyright, but are allowing the photo(s) to be used for educational and news purposes.